Serial conman charged over unpaid bill

SERIAL conman John Cronin has been arrested in Northern Ireland over allegations he failed to pay for a two-night stay at a convent.

The East Lothian conman and convicted sex offender convinced nuns he was a top businessman and asked to stay at the Drumalis Convent in Larne.

However, he failed to make the required donation and nuns alerted police. The 40-year-old had claimed he was managing director of insurance giant Scottish Provident and also faces charges of falsely representing himself.

A spokeswoman for the Court Service in Northern Ireland said: “We can confirm that John Cronin appeared at Ballymena Court on June 5 in connection with a theft and trespass at an address in Larne.”

She added that he also faces a charge of falsely representing himself and will reappear at court later this month.